Fashion Plates

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"[M]any women are collecting fashion plates, and thereby learning how fashions grow out of one another ... the richness of many fabrics now worn, the airy prettiness of others, suggest that from those treasures which art has handed down to us we should do well to recall the designs that are good, and re-adapt them to our present requirements." — Miss Ellis Clare. "Fall and Winter Fashions." Ballou's Monthly Magazine, January, 1881. p. 74.

Cycling fashions from "The Delineator" 1897.

Cycling fashions from "The Delineator" 1897.

From "The Delineator", 1897.

Godey's 1889, p. 77: "Figure 1: Walking [dress] of blue cloth, the skirt is plain laid in plaits with slight drapery in front and back. It is braided, with side panels, vest and revers of black Astrakhan. The bodice is straight in front and finished with a belt, cut with a princess back. Hat of velvet trimmed with feathers.Figure 2: Walking [dress] of plaid cloth and plain. The front of underskirt is of the plain material trimmed with four rows of velvet. The skirt of plaid is laid in box plaits, bound with brown velvet. Coat bodice with vest of cloth bound with velvet, velvet buttons, and velvet revers. Hat of felt, bound and trimmed with velvet and aigrette."

Sportswear

Godey's 1890, p. 338: "Figs 3, 5: Ladies' riding habit made of very dark, green cloth; the skirt fits closely, being relieved only upon the sides where double box-plaits are placed. Pointed bodice open with revers showing a linen shirt front and collar; it can be opened, more or less, according to fancy, as shown in the two figures, high silk hat and veil."Fig. 4.: Tricycling [outfit] made of navy blue flannel, the skirt is straight and box-plaited, the edge finished with three small tucks. Jacket with plaited underwaist of flannel. Cloth cap and leggins [sic].Fig 6: Tricycling [outfit] made of plaid woolen goods, the skirt is kilted, trimmed with fancy bradenburgs in the front. Jacket bodice with vest beneath. Cloth cap and leggins [sic]."

Godey's fashion plate, 1889.​

Boudoir style tea gown; Godey's fashion plate, November, 1889.

Walking suits

Walking suits

Visiting dresses

Visiting dresses / walking suits

Adolescent fashions

From Godey's October 1889, p. 335-336: "Figure 7: Jacket for girl of fourteen, made of dark navy blue cloth, bound with black and black buttons.Figure 8: Small mantlet for girl of thirteen years, made of checked cloth."

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